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Press release

Ministers Humphreys, McGrath and O’Brien announce €4.5 million in COVID-19 Stability funding for community and voluntary groups

  • Some 180 organisations to benefit from cash injections of between €2,000 and €200,000
  • Supports aimed at groups that provide critical services within the community
  • More than €46 million now provided in COVID - 19 Stability funding since onset of Pandemic

Almost €4.5 million in funding is to be provided to 180 community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises, which have suffered financially as a result of the Pandemic.

The funding was jointly announced today by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD, and Minister of State with special responsibility for Charities and Community Development, Joe O’Brien TD.

The €4.5 million investment means that €46.5 million has now been provided in COVID-19 stability funding to hundreds of organisations since the onset of the Pandemic.

Under this tranche of funding, cash injections of between €2,000 and €200,000 are being awarded to qualifying organisations that provide critical services to those most vulnerable in society.

These organisations – which span across a range of sectors – have been hit with short term cash flow issues as a result of the Pandemic.

Among the groups approved for funding include:

  • Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery - €50,000
  • Down Syndrome Ireland - €200,000
  • North Louth Hospice and Homecare Foundation - €150,000
  • Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team - €86,000
  • Clare Island Community Centre CLG - €75,000
  • Donal Walsh Livelife Foundation €30,313
  • Children’s Grief Centre Limerick - €23,425
  • Killarney Water Rescue - €4,000

Welcoming today’s funding announcement, Minister Humphreys said:

“16 months since the start of the pandemic, hundreds of charities and other organisations across the State continue to provide critical services to vulnerable people and communities."

“Through the COVID-19 Stability Fund, Government has provided financial supports to so many of these organisations in recognition of the critical role they play."

“But many of these organisations have seen a significant fall in their incomes due to COVID -19 and are experiencing cash flow difficulties."

“This funding that my colleagues and I are announcing today will assist these organisations to continue to operate. The funding represents an important lifeline for many of these organisations who continue to play a critical role, supporting and assisting tens of thousands of our citizens.”

Minister McGrath continued:

“The Government is fully aware of the tremendous role being played by community and voluntary groups in supporting communities and delivering important services, particularly during these challenging times."

“COVID-19 has brought challenges to these organisations, particularly with their cash flow and the practicalities of keeping their doors open. This funding is a vital lifeline to stabilise the position of many of these social enterprises and help those who give so selflessly of their time to continue with their good work."

“I am pleased therefore to be in a position to announce this funding today, knowing the positive impact it will have.”

Minister O Brien added:

“Community & Voluntary projects have been a crucial element of Ireland’s emergency response to the pandemic. In communities throughout Ireland these projects have maximised their local connections and knowledge to ensure that the most vulnerable and those most in need of support throughout the pandemic have been looked after. It has been a tough year for all groups in the sector and I trust that the funding announced today will help further strengthen these vitally important projects."

“The Community and Voluntary sector has always been critical to the sustainable development of our communities and will continue to be so into the future. Today’s funding is a recognition of the extra difficulties faced by those organisations during the extreme circumstances of the pandemic."

“It is my hope that funding will allow these organisations to continue this valuable support as we all work towards a social and economic recovery and I am very happy to be able to support these organisations in such a way.”

List of projects supported under the 2021 COVID - 19 Stability Fund

ENDS

Notes to editors:

COVID-19 Stability Fund

The COVID-19 Stability Fund for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises was developed to provide support to qualifying organisations who find themselves in particular difficulty and have seen their trading and/or fundraising income drop significantly during the crisis.

The 2021 iteration of the Stability Fund builds on the 2020 scheme, which saw €42m of Dormant Accounts Funding provided to qualifying organisations to support them in dealing with the challenges in income generation brought by social restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.

The Fund focused on organisations providing supports and services to not-for-profit organisations in a broad range of sectors, including:

  • Health and Social Care (including addiction, disability and mental health)
  • Child and Family Services (including counselling/therapies)
  • Domestic/Sexual/Gender based violence
  • Housing/Homelessness
  • Community Services (e.g. meals on wheels/befriending services/old age supports/vulnerable people’s support groups etc.)
  • Community Education Sector

Organisations were required to demonstrate the impact that the crisis has had on their services, significant financial losses and delivery of vital supports to vulnerable communities. Applications are being assessed and announced in tranches to facilitate timely drawdowns by successful groups and to allow for engagement with any organisations where further information may be required.

Pobal, which works on behalf of Government to support communities and local agencies towards achieving social inclusion and development, administer the Stability Fund on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development. This funding is being provided through €10m in Exchequer funding, and €3m Dormant Accounts Funding from a small underspend of the €45m available under the 2020 scheme.

Pobal

Pobal is an organisation that works on behalf of the Government of Ireland and in collaboration with international partners, to support communities and local agencies towards achieving social inclusion and development.

Pobal operates under the aegis of the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Pobal is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors. Members of the Board are appointed by Government, on the nomination of the Minister for Rural and Community Development, in line with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards. The company operates on the basis of a framework agreement with the Department of Rural and Community Development and programme-specific service level agreements with individual Departments.

Pobal administers related programmes on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Social Protection (DSP), as well as the Department of Health (DoH) /HSE and a number of EU bodies.

Pobal works in the areas of social inclusion, early childhood care and education, local and community development, peace and reconciliation, equality, labour market supports, and education and training.